Parents-in-law

Kimberly Dow · 11-11-2004, 03:52 PM

I brought this back up because I am still sstruggling with it. My husband, the kids, etc. keep pressuring me to have this done for Christmas, but the first attempt at the above photo is a bomb.

I tried thinning her a bit and lost likeness, which figures. I am going to post another photo - THIS is what she really looks like most of the time. If I could somehow combine these two - the first one of him and the second of her. I did try in photoshop - keeping in mind the light is different, but it doesnt read true to me.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Since it is for family I could go with the second more informal pose, but his mouth....

I have never ever spent so much time being frustrated! I am just at a loss - there is no perfect one of each and the poses/light varies.

Kimberly Dow · 11-11-2004, 03:56 PM

This was my first attempt - and it bites so bad.

Michele Rushworth · 11-11-2004, 09:43 PM

Reshoot, reshoot, reshoot.

Quote:

I did try in photoshop - keeping in mind the light is different, but it doesnt read true to me.

...and it never will.

Only paint from reference you are really happy with. It's not worth banging your head against the wall for weeks trying to cobble together a painting from the wrong reference, or especially using photos in which the lighting doesn't match.

It's not just his mouth that's a problem in the second shot, his whole lower face is in deep shadow because it's being shaded by her head. Hate to say it but I think it's "back to the drawing board...."

Kimberly Dow · 11-11-2004, 10:01 PM

Thanks Michele,

They get more stubborn as they get older. I will try again on Thanksgiving.

Here is the best I could do at mixing and matching - I dont think a neck can do exactly what I have hers doing here.

Mike McCarty · 11-11-2004, 10:06 PM

How about doing them individually? And shoot for Easter.

I never liked this kind of two person pose. Sure there souls are united but why does there portrait have to be. Were they not individuals? Hang them in the same room.

If you photograph them again try doing them individually in addition to the couple shot.

Kimberly Dow · 11-11-2004, 10:23 PM

That IS an idea Mike. For this project it feels like I have 30 clients to please...what IS it with big families? Easter sounds marvelous.

Mike McCarty · 11-11-2004, 11:33 PM

I know that sometimes we have no choice, and there have been many a fine painting of bunches of people, but I am much prejudiced toward the individual portrait.

When you have an "individual" in front of you there is a simple direct communication that takes place, whether they are being painted or photographed, that you can't create when another person is added to the mix. There is something pure about the individual portrait.

Linda Brandon · 11-11-2004, 11:48 PM

Kim, I know I keep saying this but I really do think that most people... anybody not young, fabulous or picturesque.. look better indoors.

I was also thinking tonight that the only time I've ever been happy with my portraits of "older" people was when I've done at least some work on them from life. They start talking, and I find them interesting, and I think I paint them as being more interesting. (Or else they fall asleep, which is okay, too.)